What Are My Options When Windows 10 Support Ends in October 2025?

Is Your PC Not Ready for Windows 11? How to Stay Secure After 2025

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 10, along with Office 2016 and Office 2019. This date marks an important deadline for many computer users. After this day, these products will no longer receive security updates. This leaves them open to new viruses, malware, and other online threats. For many people, this is a serious concern. A large number of computers currently running Windows 10 do not meet the strict hardware requirements needed to upgrade to Windows 11. This means millions of perfectly good machines could become unsafe to use overnight.

If you are in this situation, you are not alone. You have a capable computer, but you are facing a deadline that could force you to either buy a new machine or risk your digital security. The good news is that you have options. This guide will walk you through the situation in simple terms. We will explore what “end of support” really means for you and lay out the different paths you can take to continue using your computer safely.

What End of Support Means for You

When a software company ends support for a product, it means they stop creating and releasing updates for it. While your computer will still turn on and your programs will still run, a critical piece of your protection will be missing.

No More Security Updates

Hackers are always finding new weaknesses, or vulnerabilities, in software. Security updates are patches that fix these weaknesses. Without them, your computer is like a house with unlocked doors and windows. Any new threat that appears after October 2025 will find an easy way in. This puts your personal information, like passwords and bank details, at risk.

No Technical Assistance

If you run into problems with Windows 10 or Office 2019, Microsoft’s customer service will no longer be able to help you.

Compatibility Issues

Over time, new software and hardware may no longer be designed to work with an unsupported operating system. You might find that a new printer or a new application will not install or run correctly.

This issue affects a massive number of users. It is estimated that nearly half of all Windows PCs are still running Windows 10. A large portion of these cannot upgrade to Windows 11 due to its requirements for specific processors and security hardware like a TPM 2.0 chip. This has led to a major public discussion about the potential consequences.

A Call for Extended Support

The scale of this problem has not gone unnoticed. Major consumer advocacy groups have voiced concerns. For instance, Consumer Reports, a prominent U.S. consumer organization, sent a letter directly to Microsoft’s CEO. They asked the company to reconsider its deadline and continue providing free security support for Windows 10.

Their argument is straightforward. Forcing millions of users to discard functional computers contributes to a massive amount of electronic waste. Furthermore, if a large part of the internet is suddenly running on insecure computers, it creates a larger risk for everyone. These unprotected machines can be easily hijacked and used to spread viruses or launch attacks across the web. The request from Consumer Reports highlights a belief that functional hardware should not be made obsolete by software policies, especially when it has such broad security and environmental implications.

Microsoft’s Paid Solution: Extended Security Updates (ESU)

Microsoft has offered one official way to keep Windows 10 secure past the 2025 deadline. This program is called Extended Security Updates, or ESU. Originally designed for businesses, Microsoft has confirmed that individual users will also be able to purchase it.

The ESU program provides security patches for up to three additional years. However, it comes at a cost, and that cost increases each year.

• Year 1: The price for the first year is $61.
• Year 2: The price doubles to $122 for the second year.
• Year 3: The price doubles again to $244 for the third year.

These costs are per computer. If you have two PCs you need to protect, you will pay this amount for each one. While ESU keeps your Windows 10 operating system secure, there is a very important catch: the ESU program does not cover Microsoft Office. If you use Office 2016 or Office 2019, those applications will still be vulnerable even if you pay for Windows 10 ESU. For anyone who relies on Word, Excel, or Outlook, this is only a partial solution.

A Business-Focused Alternative: Windows 10 LTSC

Another option, primarily used in corporate environments, is a special version of Windows called Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC. The “LTSC” stands for Long-Term Servicing Channel. This version is built for devices that need extreme stability and do not need frequent feature updates, such as medical equipment, factory controllers, or ATMs.

Because these devices are often used for many years, LTSC versions come with much longer support periods.

• Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019: Support ends on January 9, 2029.
• Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021: Support ends on January 12, 2027.
• Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021: Support ends on January 13, 2032.

On paper, switching to the 2019 LTSC version seems like a great way to get security updates until 2029. However, this path has significant challenges. Microsoft does not sell LTSC licenses to the public. They are sold through volume licensing agreements to businesses for specific use cases. Using an LTSC version on a general-purpose office or home PC is against Microsoft’s licensing terms.

While some may consider purchasing second-hand LTSC licenses, this can be a legally gray area and requires trusting the reseller completely. This is not a simple or recommended path for most individuals or small businesses.

A Practical Third-Party Solution: Micropatching

A more practical and complete solution for many comes from third-party security companies. One well-known approach is called “micropatching,” offered by companies like ACROS Security with their 0patch service.

Instead of waiting for Microsoft to release a large, official update, micropatching works by applying tiny, targeted fixes to your system as soon as a vulnerability is found. It’s like putting a small, precise patch on a problem without needing to rebuild the whole wall. A small agent program runs on your computer and receives these patches to block exploits in real time.

The key advantage of this approach is its comprehensive coverage.

It secures both Windows 10 and Office

The 0patch service provides security patches for Windows 10 and also continues to secure Office 2016 and 2019. It even supports older, long-unsupported products like Office 2010. This solves the major gap left by Microsoft’s ESU program.

It is cost-effective: 0patch offers different plans

A free version is available for personal use, which covers the most critical and widespread vulnerabilities. For more complete protection, a Pro plan costs around €25 per computer per year. This is a small fraction of the cost of the ESU program, and it does not increase in price each year.

This solution allows you to keep your existing hardware and software exactly as it is, while a security service works in the background to keep you safe. Many people have found this to be a reliable way to extend the life of older but still functional computers. However, as with any security decision, it is important to review the service yourself and decide if it is the right fit for your needs.

The Fresh Start: Moving to a New Operating System

The final option is the most transformative: saying goodbye to Windows entirely. For decades, Windows has been the default choice for most PC users, but there are powerful, free alternatives available. The most popular of these is Linux.

Linux is an open-source operating system, meaning it is developed by a community and is free for anyone to use, share, and modify. While it was once considered complex and only for technical experts, modern versions of Linux are incredibly user-friendly.

• Familiar and Easy to Use: Distributions (versions of Linux) like Linux Mint and Ubuntu offer a desktop experience that is very similar to Windows. They have a Start menu, a taskbar, and a file explorer, making the transition much easier.
• Free Software: Not only is the operating system free, but so is most of the essential software. For a replacement to Microsoft Office, you can use LibreOffice or OnlyOffice. These are complete office suites that can open, edit, and save Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files, ensuring compatibility with documents from others.
• Secure and Stable: Linux has a strong reputation for being secure and reliable.

Switching to Linux is a bigger commitment than the other options. It requires backing up your data and installing a new operating system. Some specialized Windows software, particularly certain games or professional design tools, may not have a Linux version. However, for users whose primary needs are web browsing, email, and document editing, Linux is a completely viable and long-term solution that frees you from forced hardware upgrades and software licensing costs forever.